Capítulo 11: Chapter 11 Drinking and Encountering Issues_1

By the time Chen Hao drove back to the company, it was already past 12 o'clock. He just parked the car by the roadside and was walking to the company's entrance when he bumped into three guys, arms slung over each other's shoulders.

These three were none other than Xu Wenjun and his crew, apparently finished with work and ready to head home.

The trio noticed Chen Hao approaching the entrance and took the initiative to greet him.

"Yo, Brother Hao, you've got some serious stamina. What time is it now? That beauty didn't drain you dry, did she?"

"Damn, don't you know what kind of man Brother Hao is? Strong as a young bull, even after three hundred rounds, there'd be no problem at all. Brother Hao, am I right?"

"Exactly, just look how steady Brother Hao's steps are, full of vigor. I was wondering why you never seem interested in those flirty dames. Turns out you've got a hidden treasure at home."

Faced with his buddies' low-brow jokes, Chen Hao didn't mind at all and just laughed, "Come on, you guys, do you really think I'm that sort of person?"

"Haha, how could Brother Hao possibly be?"

"Right, not 'possibly'—definitely is!"

...

Chen Hao laughingly scolded, "Damn it, stop bullshitting, all of you go to hell. By the way, did that little shit look for me today?"

The 'little shit' Chen Hao referred to was the small team leader of the driving service here, also their immediate boss, whose real name was Sun Zihan. Due to his rat-like face and general disdain for the hardworking folks just trying to earn a living here, as well as his knack for nicking wages with all sorts of excuses, people here had dropped a character from his name, simplifying it to just 'little shit.'

"That little shit definitely came around, it was those broads. Couldn't find you, so they went to him, and of course he'd come asking for you. But don't worry Brother Hao, we got your back and pushed him off!"

Chen Hao laughed heartily, though Xu Wenjun made it sound simple, the situation was probably quite heated at the time, with wages likely docked again. But they acted as if nothing had happened.

"Haha, you guys are awesome! Come on, let's get some barbecue on Shennan Street, it's on me!"

"Long live Brother Hao!"

"Long live Brother Hao, for thousands and thousands of years!"

...

Shennan Street was located just a street away from Xiao Ai Driving Service Company, nestled within a chaotic urban village known for its dirt and disorder. The uneven concrete roads, shabby old houses, and the stark contrast with the surrounding skyscrapers were particularly prominent.

Along the narrow streets, trash was strewn about carelessly. On some utility poles, posters for scam job recruitments abounded, and even small flyers advertising treatments for STDs and syphilis could be seen everywhere.

In the dimly lit alleys, scantily clad women often lurked, smoking cigarettes, flaunting their figures, and coquettishly teasing passersby. Some of them, bolder than others, would even directly grab hold of pedestrians to secure their next deal.

The group hadn't walked far before reaching Shennan Street. This area was known for its night market, which was particularly busy during the summer nights with people coming for late-night meals, amid the raucous cries of drinkers and laughter.

As usual, they settled down at one of the night market stalls they frequented.

"Old Zhao, I want a plate of lamb, a plate of beef, and some kidneys—any assortment of veggies will do, and two cases of ice-cold beer," Chen Hao said as soon as he sat down, shouting over to an elderly man who was busy by the charcoal grill, looking somewhat dizzy.

"Right away." Old Zhao, with greasy hands, wiped the sweat off his face, lifted his head to respond, then yelled to a girl who was clearing a table, "Qingqing, hurry up."

"Got it, Grandpa." The girl, quite pretty and slender, with sweat beads forming faster than she could wipe them away, efficiently finished clearing up and ran back.

Soon, several stainless steel plates were brought over, with skewers of meat that looked tender and juicy, giving off the aroma of cumin and chili. As soon as the plates were set on the table, before they had even been stabilized, each person grabbed a skewer and started devouring it right away.

Meanwhile, Old Zhao also brought two cases of beer and placed them behind the group. Xu Wenjun grabbed one case and dragged it over, bitten off the bottle caps, and handed out a bottle to each person, "Here, brothers, let's down one first!"

"Cheers!"

Everyone tilted their heads back and gulped down the ice-cold beer in just a few seconds.

As the group indulged in the food and drink, a few swaggering hooligans approached from afar, whistling and taking a seat at a table behind them.

One of the thugs, Huang Mao, took off his shirt revealing an indeterminate tattoo, stretched out his legs on the table, and nonchalantly picked up a toothpick to clean his teeth before shouting at Old Zhao who was bustling around, "Hey, old man, what about the protection money you promised? Last month you said this month, and now you're saying next month. Do you think you can mess with me like that?"

Old Zhao stopped what he was doing and nervously moved a small pouch further under the table, covering it with a plate as he faced the men with a troubled expression.

The girl, on the other hand, stood rigidly behind Old Zhao, with a look of terror in her eyes, yet a flash of anger could be seen.

"Hey, old man, did you not hear me?" When Old Zhao remained silent, Huang Mao slammed his hand on the table in anger, grabbed a plastic stool, and smashed it towards them.

Fortunately, his aim was poor, and though he missed Old Zhao, he hit the barbecue grill, causing sparks and black smoke to fly up.

Seeing this, Old Zhao quickly took the skewers off the grill, and with nervous glances, signaled the girl to run away.

But the girl stood firm, her teeth gritted tightly, clutching at his clothes, refusing to leave.

Witnessing all this, Xu Wenjun and others were filled with righteous indignation. They discreetly picked up plates and chopsticks from the table, waiting only for Chen Hao's command to give these scoundrels a lesson on how to behave.

"Wow, old man, have you gone mute? I'm telling you, today you either pay up willingly or unwillingly, because if you don't," Huang Mao threatened, "this stall of yours will disappear from my sight starting today!"

"Boys, come on, smash this place up for me!" Seeing that Old Zhao still wasn't coming forward, Huang Mao got furious, shouted an order, stood up, and with a kick, overturned the table, bellowing loudly.

His fellow thugs, emboldened by their leader's command, began turning over tables and smashing stools, acting with outrageous arrogance.

"People are trying to make a living at their age; it's not easy running a business. If you want to eat, then Sit down and eat quietly. If you're not eating, then get lost quickly—damages have to be paid for."

Just as the thugs were rampaging, a calm voice sounded by their ears.

City Lord's new book is out and hot off the press—please add it to your favorites! Thank you!

comentario 0 comentario

Votar

ENVIAR REGALO

Load failed, please RETRY